The Nerazzurri have hit a slump of late after going three games without a victory, and their 3-0 loss to Udinese last weekend saw them drop to fifth place in the Serie A table.

But their coach insists the visit of the Delfini has the potential to kick-start the second half of the season, while he has also been buoyed by the news that his squad will be boosted by the return of key personnel from injury.

“The past week has been very constructive, we got a lot done and I saw what the lads are made of. Tomorrow’s [Saturday] match is an opportunity for us to strike the right chord and get back to winning ways,” he told reporters.

“I think my Inter side will be in there fighting until the end of the season. Our results will ultimately determine that.

“We’re close to having lots of people available again – Gaby Mudingayi, Philippe Coutinho and Joel Obi are big players coming back.

“They are not ready to start tomorrow [against Pescara], but they are fit again.

“Diego Milito had a problem on the eve of the Udinese match, a slight problem with his knee, but it’s nothing serious. He’s fit now and he’s available for selection tomorrow – he won’t be 100 per cent but he’s recovered."

Stramaccioni then reflected on the season so far and believes the winning run they put together earlier on in the campaign demonstrates the quality of his squad.

He added: “I don’t think we had a positive start to the campaign, we struggled to gel due to so many changes in personnel.

“But from week five onwards we laid the tactical foundations [a back three] which brought us a run of good results both in Italy and in Europe.

“Then our results tailed off, but I strongly believe we are a good side who had a bad run, rather than an average team that had a good one."